WELCOME REST. 443 



another chance. Again the bullet fell short, but this time 

 so close to the big fellow's feet that it must have sent up 

 the gravelly ground against him. The beasts now got so 

 bewildered that, instead of at once disappearing behind the 

 spur, as might ordinarily have been expected, they galloped 

 straight up along it, and again stood broadside on within 

 200 yards, and level with us across the ravine to our right, 

 in the most tantalising manner. Oh for a good breechloader 

 then, for I had only the " pea-shooter " left to depend on ! 

 Whether the big fellow carried away the contents of the 

 latter I never found out, for though his tracks were followed 

 far beyond the spur, nothing more of either him or his 

 companions did we ever see again. There were eight or nine 

 long miles to trudge over before getting back to camp, and I 

 could have wished no fitter penalty for the delinquents 

 who had so disappointed me about my Express rifle, than 

 to have had them grinding breathlessly alongside me that 

 afternoon, with the cold cutting wind blowing right in 

 their teeth, and the glaring sun scorching the skin off their 

 faces and cracked lips. 



Next day was Sunday, and never did I more welcome 

 a rest. 



Tibetan wooden Cup and Tobacco-pipe. 



